Our Great Lakes – How are they doing?

2013 April 26

From Lake Erie and Michigan, to the smaller bodies of freshwater near you, show us the environmental health of our lakes today.

DOCUMERICA is full of stories of pollution back then. In one case, there is a desperate attempt to pour chlorine off of a beach to try and make the water swimmable. What has 40 years of greater environmental awareness done? What are the issues that remain to be tackled today?

Over the weekend, use your camera as a tool to show us the issues or stories of success near you. We’ve provided a few “Then” examples below. It is up to you to document “Now”.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE WATER USABLE FOR SWIMMING, CITY EMPLOYEES POUR CHLORINE INTO LAKE ERIE AT WHITE CITY BEACH, 06/1973 by Frank Aleksandrowicz.

BUFFALO WATERFRONT. DISCOLORED AREA IS POLLUTED WATER FLOWING INTO LAKE ERIE FROM THE BUFFALO RIVER, 07/1973 by George Burns 1896-1996.

ANNUAL SMELT RUN AT SINGING BRIDGE, TAWAS CITY. IN MID-APRIL THOUSANDS OF FISHERMEN GATHER AT WHITNEY DRAIN, A MANMADE CANAL ON LAKE HURON, TO DIPNET FOR THESE SMALL FISH, 04/1973 by Donald Emmerich.

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